Adriaen van Ostade c. 18th century

Curator: This is Jacobus Gole's portrait of Adriaen van Ostade, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a beautifully rendered image. Editor: There’s a quiet intensity to the man in the wide-brimmed hat. He looks like he's seen a thing or two, doesn't he? Almost melancholic. Curator: Portraits like this served to solidify an artist's reputation, showing their likeness alongside their skill. This was vital in the marketplace. Editor: And I love the details, the subtle shadows under the hat, the delicate lace collar. It gives the portrait such a soft, almost dreamlike quality. He's staring right through you! Curator: These printed portraits also allowed for a democratization of imagery, taking artists' faces into homes that couldn't afford original painting. Editor: A perfect little window into the soul of the artist, and a world in flux. Thanks, Jacobus! Curator: Indeed. A glimpse into artistic life and legacy, forever etched in ink.